work check and grounding advice

[RJ Guitars]

This looks like a good build in progress - very nice to have decent photos!

The Rocket with reverb is an amazing nice sounding amp. I think you'll be quite happy with it.

I have always liked the idea of mounting all the filter caps on a board and also using some form of a star ground... I learned a bunch from Randall Aiken on this topic.

It looks like you have used the PEC pots and also given them a little more space between each one that the original Trainwreck style... good idea in my book!

Looking forward to pictures and clips of the finished product.

rj

[Roe]

I prefer the multi-star grounding scheme recommended by randall aiken and novosibir (larry). the idea is to use a star grounding for each node in the power supply and to keep the preamp grounding points in line. more details are found on the metro board

[telentubes]

Progress is slow due to a very busy work schedule for the next 3 week, but I have made a little progress. I've established some ground points, and arranged the caps on a board influenced by a layout Rawnster used. I've distilled the input from all who have chimed in (an amazing reservoir of knowledge on this forum) and will plod ahead when the time allows. I'll take some more pictures later today and post them for inspection. I have to admit, the whole grounding thing puts the fear in me. Ground loops, all kinds of hum, etc. There seems to be some good rules to follow, tempered with "just winging it" and learning from the process. Pics to follow. Kinda want to get the "OK" on this before I wire in the main board, as it would be a bummer to have to pull everything apart to get at the problem (I can hear the violins playing).
Tele-n-tubes

[PlinytheWelder]

That's a fine build that you have going there! A good read on grounding is here: http://www.aikenamps.com/StarGround.html

[keewee]

Hey, I'm suprised no one's mentioned Merlin's (valvewizard.com) book or internet file on grounding -The Best in my opinion-. I used it on a express like build and it is extremely quiet only a hiss, gained out max, just resistor Jhonsen type noise. Good Foder.

[rooster]

Er... that's Merlin checking in on page 1, keewee. See 'merlinb'. And I agree his book is a good read for all. He has a new book scheduled that is all about grounding, actually.

Kudos to him for not plugging it actually, and I don't mind doing it.

[telentubes]

Here are my grounding points. One pic shows the AC and PT Center Taps. The other shows all 4 points (star, EL84 cathode, AC, and PT Center Taps) . If any of this won't fly, let me know.

I checked into the site, read a bunch and WILL buy the book. It looks like a good one, (but possibly not available at this time? out of stock?).

You can also see my ground buss, speaker jack, and reverb grounds all going to the star.
TNT

[telentubes]

Here are the boards in place... yet to be wired. I've labeled most of it. You can see how I plan on hooking up the filter caps to the main board. The "3", "4", and "5" on the main board correspond to the same numbers on the other side.

I plan on running the B+1 and B+2 to the same ground as the PT center tap. B+3, 4, and 5 will go to the star ground. Does that sound right?

[RJ Guitars]

That is some very fine looking work. In the original post you make the statement that you are kinda new to amp building but I am going to guess that you have had your hand in some sort of technical work before. I can't see your solder joints in the pictures but the way you have heatshrink on all your terminations and all the wires neatly tucked into place I'd be surprised if you haven't soldered a wire or two before.

rj

[Structo]

Looks very nice.
The only thing I would change is the ground point of the buss wire.
Usually it is quieter if you take it to the chassis by the input jack because there is less happening there noise wise.

[telentubes]

Thanks Tom. I might figure out a way to A/B that buss, and learn something in the process (like the headphone trick).

And a follow up for RJ.
I've been amp building for a year. I read Dave Hunter’s book, then bought a Princeton Reverb kit from Weber, which when finished, didn't sound that great to my ears. I was disappointed because I lead myself to believe that hand built amps AUTOMATICALLY sounded AMAZING. That's a myth. I scrapped the Princeton but some how got obsessed with building and the quest for great tone. I've built three more from scratch since, the Rocket will be my 5th. I don't have any technical background but my work history involves meticulous work. I build mandolins for a living and I guess I'm drawn to detail work, and I come from the "neatness counts" school. The technical aspect of electronics is actually a big stretch for my brain, and a lot of it has been hard to wrap my mind around (hence lots of questions), but I love the learning process, and of coarse there's nothing like firing up a new amp! I say I'm new at amp building (although I've been IMMERSED for the past year) because I imagine there are a lot of folks at Amp Garage who have been at this for decades.